St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-08-04

mp and walk off like other men. He
has legs, and he ought to walk. You
have what you call religion, and it
ought to keep you firm, and unmeved
in fire and flood, and answer in every
emergency in place of health and
strength. Now religion can't wash
your dishes, or make your children's
clothes, and if these exceedingly nec-
essary tasks are not performed, the
consequences are hard to bear, as
presume no lousekeeper knows better
than yourself. But" as her visitor was
about to interrupt, "don't imagine that
underrate the power of a true relig-
ious life. The value of religion in
your case would consist in its power to
ameliOrate your condition by teaching
you first, last and always that God
does not require impossibilities from
His creatures. l know something OF
your history, Mrs. Ostrander, and
know that it is you and not God who
have been the hard taskmaster."
'fBut, Mrs. Norton, as you said mo-
ment ago, dishes must be washed and
clothes made. Who would do these
things in my house if did not 2" the
guest inquired earnestly.
"What | was getting at is this" was
the pleasant response. Starting fair
in adversely with true religious con-
victioDs, good common sense and good
health, one would Immediately cast
about to see how the work of an estab-
lishment like yours could be best
adapted to the strength of the mistress.
Now, my DEAR" and the minister's wife
smiled archly, and gave her compan-
ions hand a loving pressure, "my hus-
band could not talk to You about tucks
and frills and starched dresses, and
sewing machine labor, and heavy
washes and agOnizing irOnings, and the
mending and making of fine little gar
ments that night after night keep yOu
sewing and stitching when you should
be in bed and asleep"-
"But how do you know 2" the lady
interrupted.
"Because | have seen and carefully
observed your lovely little children,
and l am perfectly aware that such
care as is given to them is more than
one delicate woman ought to give. Ex-
cuse me, but this department of labor
should be reduced two thirds. Plain
CSoCo, ohIIbS, anu oChSlOlC
gingham aprons for six days in the
week are all that you ought to attempt.
To put it all in nutshell, your first
duty is to get well, your next to cut
down your work at least One-half. YOu
cannot be happy woman if You have
no time to read. You cannot be a
healthy woman if you do not have
your full complement of sleep. And if
you are not healthy and happy, you
cannot be truly religious and if you
are not healthy and cOntented, you
cannot be good mother to your chill
dren, good wife to your husband.
You have been doing the work of three
women in your family. In future it is
yOur duty to do the work of one wOm-
an if you can, and let the rest CO."
~ shouldn't know where to begin"
was the perplexed response. "Why, |
haven't left my house in six months"
she added, 'as long as this, and it
would not be possible now, only my
mother is with me for while"
"Let us plan little" said the min
ister's wife. 81 am going to visit my
mother in the country for couple of
weeks, and if you will accompany me
will promise to help you plan and
perhaps perform little when we re-
turn. Take your youngest child, and
leave the others with your mother.
What do you say7 l believe l can
bring you home almost we'll, and then
if you desire to be excOmmunicated,
perhaps my husband will oblige you"
Mrs. Ostrander smiled for the first
time now. She felt differently already.
This sweet human sympathy, this dis
sisterly advice, had eased
the strain upon her long rasped nerves,
but she hardly dared confess how much
better she felt.
When Mr.. Ostrander met his wife, an
hour later, there was so new and bright
1 light in her eyes that he took the
wan face in his hands, and inquired
what had happened.
81 went to the minister to confess"
she said, ''and his wife wouldn't let me
see him. But she took me in hand
herself, JOHN" she added with a curl
,us smile. "and feel to night, dear, as
f we might have some comfort, even if
We are poor. l am not going to do half
Is much work, and no fretting at all,
f L can help it, and am going to find
line to read"-
"And little time to spend in max
ng love to your husband" Mr.. Os-
rander interrupted, with laugh that
vas nearer sob.